AAAAA Boys will test out one of the new State meet venues at Carrollton's Grisham Stadium beginning Thursday morning. Carrollton is no novice at hosting State Championships, as the XC Meet has been held there dating back into the 20th Century, but new nonetheless concerning a state track meet. Its definitely a first class facility the athletes should enjoy competing at. Its also the smallest of the 3 State meets as only 5A & 6A will be there.
It appears we are going to have a new Boys State team champ in AAAAA. SW DeKalb, has dominated the past 2 years, but has suffered a dropoff in talent or injuries this season.. It looks on paper to be Grady HS, led by Coach Del Ellerton, against a new coach, David Houghton at Cedar Shoals (as longtime Coach Roger Edmonds has retired) Both teams are so stacked with talent, the field, can only strive to compete for the remaining 2 team Podium spots. Grady has speed to burn with Babakarr Randall and the 4x100 squad, hurdle power with Christian McNair-Jones, Jaquez Sloan is a top Long Jumper and some other athletes who can score. Cedar Shoals can be a dangerous team when everyone has their 'A' game going on and always seems to be, on or close to making the Podium every year. Its been 12 years since their last State title, can they pull it off? Rogerous Swain is one of the top athletes in the State, Ashton Daniel is a contender to win the 110h/300h, Jon Oglesby is the defending 800m champ and their Relay squads are tops in AAAAA. 1 big advantage the Jags have... is Grady has no opp to score in the 4x400, which it may well come down to. Should be very tight for the last 2 Podium spots between: Starrs Mill, North Springs, Whitewater, SW DeKalb, Carrollton, Bainbridge, and Arabia Mountain.
Top Athletes to Watch:
Babakarr Randall of Grady- 100, 200, 4x100
Christian McNair-Jones of Grady- 110h, 300h, 4x100
Jacquez Sloan of Grady- LJ, 4x100
Rogerous Swain of Cedar Shoals- TJ, 100, 200, Relays
Ashton Daniel of Cedar Shoals- 110h, 300h, Relays
Markell Allen of Cedar Shoals- TJ, 200, Relays
Jaysen Robinson of North Springs- 100, 200, Relays
Vonderions Campbell of Bainbridge- 100, 200,
Terry and Terryon Conwell of SW DeKalb- 100, 200, 400, Relays
Andre Jeff of New Hampstead- 400, 200
Trey Johnson of Fayette County- 400, 800
Jonathan Respress of Eagle's Landing- 800
Sam Ellis of Decatur- 800, 1600 (photo Daniel McCauley)
Nick Nyman of Starrs Mill- 1600, 3200 (photo by Daniel McCauley
Jaylyn Scott of Bainbridge- 300h, 110h (bottom right)
Pache' Caldwell of Riverwood- HJ
Tyler Jones of Arabia Mountain- LJ
Dre Butts of Jones County- TJ
Thomas Jolly of Woodland- PV
Ben Runyan of Starr Mill- PV
Madias Loper of Whitewater- Shot, Discus
Jeremiah Pierce of Carrollton- Shot, Discus
Michael Willingham of Arabia Mountain- Discus
Team Scores
100 Meter Dash
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | TIME | POINTS | |
| 1 | Jaysen Robinson | 2017 | North Springs | 10.56 | 10 | |
| 2 | Tyrese McPhatter | 2017 | Harris Co. High School | 10.59 | 8 | |
| 3 | Vonderions Campbell | 2017 | Bainbridge High School | 10.62 | 6 | |
| 4 | Babakarr Randall | 2017 | Grady | 10.65 | 4.5 | |
| 4 | Hassan Hall | 2018 | Maynard H. Jackson High School | 10.65 | 4.5 | |
| 6 | Shidell Millsap | 2017 | Rome High School | 10.69 | 3 | |
| 7 | D'Angelo Whitehead | 2018 | Warner Robins | 10.73 | 2 | |
| 8 | Terryon Conwell | 2017 | Southwest Dekalb | 10.81 | 1 | |
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200 Meter Dash
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | TIME | POINTS | |
| 1 | Babakarr Randall | 2017 | Grady | 21.32 | 10 | |
| 2 | Vonderions Campbell | 2017 | Bainbridge High School | 21.37 | 8 | |
| 3 | Jaysen Robinson | 2017 | North Springs | 21.46 | 6 | |
| 4 | Hassan Hall | 2018 | Maynard H. Jackson High School | 21.52 | 5 | |
| 5 | Markell Allen | 2018 | Cedar Shoals | 21.71 | 4 | |
| 6 | Andre Jeff | 2017 | New Hampstead HS | 21.78 | 3 | |
| 7 | Terryon Conwell | 2017 | Southwest Dekalb | 21.81 | 2 | |
| 8 | Shidell Millsap | 2017 | Rome High School | 21.86 | 1 | |
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400 Meter Dash
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | TIME | POINTS | |
| 1 | Andre Jeff | 2017 | New Hampstead HS | 47.93 | 10 | |
| 2 | Trey Johnson | 2018 | Fayette County | 48.09 | 8 | |
| 3 | Terry Conwell | 2017 | Southwest Dekalb | 48.50 | 6 | |
| 4 | Jermaine Hosley | 2017 | Grady | 48.79 | 5 | |
| 5 | Jaeden Douglass | 2017 | Riverdale High School | 49.03 | 4 | |
| 6 | Ja'Shaun Poke | 2019 | Dutchtown High School | 49.26 | 3 | |
| 7 | Kevion'Ta Knix | 2019 | Wayne County | 49.47 | 2 | |
| 8 | Bryce McNealy | 2018 | Carrollton High School | 49.57 | 1 | |
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800 Meter Run
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | TIME | POINTS | |
| 1 | Sam Ellis | 2017 | Decatur High School | 1:56.97 | 10 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Respress | 2017 | Eagle's Landing High School | 1:57.91 | 8 | |
| 3 | Ryan Jackson | 2017 | Grady | 1:58.53 | 6 | |
| 4 | Justin Taybron | 2017 | Woodland HS Stockbridge | 1:59.45 | 5 | |
| 5 | Zack Burnett | 2018 | Union Grove | 1:59.71 | 4 | |
| 6 | Gabriel Mantione-Holmes | 2018 | Clarke Central | 2:00.02 | 3 | |
| 7 | Jon Oglesby | 2017 | Cedar Shoals | 2:00.14 | 2 | |
| 8 | Brendan Bowman | 2019 | Clarke Central | 2:00.37 | 0.5 | |
| 8 | Thomas Weldemichal | 2019 | Clarkston | 2:00.37 | 0.5 | |
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1,600 Meter Run
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | TIME | POINTS | |
| 1 | Sam Ellis | 2017 | Decatur High School | 4:22.75 | 10 | |
| 2 | Nick Nyman | 2019 | Starrs Mill High School | 4:28.91 | 8 | |
| 3 | Zack Burnett | 2018 | Union Grove | 4:31.45 | 6 | |
| 4 | Deonte Lee | 2017 | Ola High School | 4:32.21 | 5 | |
| 5 | Ethan Hargrove | 2017 | Flowery Branch | 4:32.23 | 4 | |
| 6 | Harrison Fultz | 2019 | Starrs Mill High School | 4:32.85 | 3 | |
| 7 | Harry Harp | 2017 | Whitewater High School | 4:33.20 | 2 | |
| 8 | Austin Walden | 2017 | Loganville | 4:33.71 | 1 | |
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3,200 Meter Run
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | TIME | POINTS | |
| 1 | Nick Nyman | 2019 | Starrs Mill High School | 9:45.99 | 10 | |
| 2 | Harry Harp | 2017 | Whitewater High School | 9:52.75 | 8 | |
| 3 | Vladimir Zander-Velloso | 2018 | McIntosh High School | 9:54.84 | 6 | |
| 4 | Austin Walden | 2017 | Loganville | 9:56.47 | 5 | |
| 5 | Aidan Goldston | 2018 | Grady | 10:01.44 | 4 | |
| 6 | Audrick Pyronneau | 2018 | Hiram High School | 10:01.50 | 3 | |
| 7 | William White | 2017 | Clarke Central | 10:02.90 | 2 | |
| 8 | Isaiha Davis | 2018 | Grady | 10:02.98 | 1 | |
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110 Meter Hurdles
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | TIME | POINTS | |
| 1 | Christian McNair-Jones | 2017 | Grady | 13.95 | 10 | |
| 2 | Ashton Daniel | 2018 | Cedar Shoals | 14.25 | 8 | |
| 3 | Ray Varnum | 2017 | Cass High School | 14.50 | 6 | |
| 4 | Gary Savage | 2019 | Carrollton High School | 14.65 | 5 | |
| 5 | Kameron Jones | 2018 | Dutchtown High School | 14.74 | 4 | |
| 6 | Jahvon Millard | 2018 | North Springs | 14.94 | 3 | |
| 7 | Jaylyn Scott | 2018 | Bainbridge High School | 15.03 | 2 | |
| 8 | Malcolm Thompson | 2018 | Hampton HS | 15.19 | 1 | |
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300 Meter Hurdles
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | TIME | POINTS | |
| 1 | Jaylyn Scott | 2018 | Bainbridge High School | 37.91 | 10 | |
| 2 | Ashton Daniel | 2018 | Cedar Shoals | 38.74 | 8 | |
| 3 | Kameron Jones | 2018 | Dutchtown High School | 39.29 | 6 | |
| 4 | Dorin Thornton | 2017 | Union Grove | 39.52 | 5 | |
| 5 | Thomar Smith | 2018 | Wayne County | 39.76 | 4 | |
| 6 | Christian McNair-Jones | 2017 | Grady | 39.78 | 3 | |
| 7 | Cameron Hudson | 2019 | Cedar Shoals | 39.79 | 2 | |
| 8 | Fereday Chipere | 2017 | Miller Grove High School | 39.86 | 1 | |
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4x100 Meter Relay
| PLACE | TEAM | TIME | POINTS | |||
| 1 | Cedar Shoals | 41.05 | 10 | |||
| 2 | Grady | 41.46 | 8 | |||
| 3 | Southwest Dekalb | 41.94 | 6 | |||
| 4 | Arabia Mountain HS | 42.01 | 5 | |||
| 5 | Wayne County | 42.23 | 4 | |||
| 6 | North Springs | 42.27 | 3 | |||
| 7 | Buford High School | 42.39 | 2 | |||
| 8 | East Paulding High School | 42.47 | 1 | |||
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4x400 Meter Relay
| PLACE | TEAM | TIME | POINTS | |||
| 1 | Eagle's Landing High School | 3:19.93 | 10 | |||
| 2 | Cedar Shoals | 3:20.19 | 8 | |||
| 3 | Southwest Dekalb | 3:20.30 | 6 | |||
| 4 | New Hampstead HS | 3:20.67 | 5 | |||
| 5 | Carver, Atlanta | 3:22.45 | 4 | |||
| 6 | Riverdale High School | 3:22.63 | 3 | |||
| 7 | Miller Grove High School | 3:22.68 | 2 | |||
| 8 | Dutchtown High School | 3:23.74 | 1 | |||
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High Jump
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
| 1 | Caleb Podolski | 2017 | McIntosh High School | 6-4 | 8 | |
| 1 | Pache' Caldwell | 2018 | Riverwood International Charter School | 6-4 | 8 | |
| 1 | Tavarus Varnum | 2018 | Cass High School | 6-4 | 8 | |
| 4 | Amanuel McDowell | 2019 | Griffin | 6-2 | 3.5 | |
| 4 | Demontre Bennett | 2018 | Buford High School | 6-2 | 3.5 | |
| 4 | Dionte Ruffin | 2017 | Paulding County | 6-2 | 3.5 | |
| 4 | Trevor Knowles | 2017 | Woodland | 6-2 | 3.5 | |
| 8 | Dontarius Bailey | 2019 | Buford High School | 6-0 | 0.25 | |
| 8 | Jahsun McNeil | 2017 | Clarkston | 6-0 | 0.25 | |
| 8 | Shamar Kelly | 2017 | Wayne County | 6-0 | 0.25 | |
| 8 | William Jones | 2018 | Lithia Springs | 6-0 | 0.25 | |
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Long Jump
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
| 1 | Jacquez Sloan | 2017 | Grady | 23-4.75 | 10 | |
| 2 | William Jones | 2018 | Lithia Springs | 23-1 | 8 | |
| 3 | Caelan Filmore | 2017 | Fayette County | 22-11 | 6 | |
| 4 | Tyler Jones | 2017 | Arabia Mountain HS | 22-10.5 | 5 | |
| 5 | Ray Varnum | 2017 | Cass High School | 22-9.25 | 4 | |
| 6 | Jaysen Robinson | 2017 | North Springs | 22-6 | 3 | |
| 7 | Markell Allen | 2018 | Cedar Shoals | 22-4 | 2 | |
| 8 | Cameron Hudson | 2019 | Cedar Shoals | 22-1.5 | 1 | |
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Triple Jump
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
| 1 | Rogerous Swain | 2017 | Cedar Shoals | 47-4.75 | 10 | |
| 2 | Dre Butts | 2017 | Jones County High School | 46-9.5 | 8 | |
| 3 | Markell Allen | 2018 | Cedar Shoals | 46-9.25 | 6 | |
| 4 | Labo Oke | 2017 | Eagle's Landing High School | 46-8.25 | 5 | |
| 5 | Tyler Jones | 2017 | Arabia Mountain HS | 45-1.5 | 4 | |
| 6 | Cedric Claritt | 2018 | Morrow High School | 45-0 | 3 | |
| 7 | Jordan Jones | 2018 | Hiram High School | 44-10 | 1.5 | |
| 7 | Zahir Nichols | 2019 | North Springs | 44-10 | 1.5 | |
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Pole Vault
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
| 1 | Ben Runyan | 2018 | Starrs Mill High School | 14-6 | 9 | |
| 1 | Thomas Jolly | 2017 | Woodland | 14-6 | 9 | |
| 3 | Joe Street | 2019 | Carrollton High School | 13-6 | 6 | |
| 4 | Isaiah Del Campbell | 2017 | Johnson HS | 12-6 | 4 | |
| 4 | Jake Rubin | 2019 | North Springs | 12-6 | 4 | |
| 4 | Tyler Lorenz | 2017 | Flowery Branch | 12-6 | 4 | |
| 7 | Will West | 2017 | Chamblee | 12-0 | 2 | |
| 8 | DeAndre Etienne | 2017 | Grady | 11-6 | 0.2 | |
| 8 | Miles Reece | 2019 | Union Grove | 11-6 | 0.2 | |
| 8 | Osazi Alkhaliq | 2019 | Maynard H. Jackson High School | 11-6 | 0.2 | |
| 8 | Stephen Smith | 2019 | Cass High School | 11-6 | 0.2 | |
| 8 | Zeb Kosobucki | 2018 | Harris Co. High School | 11-6 | 0.2 | |
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Shot Put
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
| 1 | Madias Loper | 2017 | Whitewater High School | 60-6.5 | 10 | |
| 2 | Nicholas Edwards | 2018 | Southwest Dekalb | 50-8.75 | 8 | |
| 3 | Jeremiah Pierce | 2018 | Carrollton High School | 50-2 | 6 | |
| 4 | J. Robert Edge | 2018 | Decatur High School | 49-10 | 5 | |
| 5 | Natavious Clark | 2017 | Carrollton High School | 49-6.5 | 4 | |
| 6 | Eric Donevant | 2018 | Starrs Mill High School | 49-2.5 | 3 | |
| 7 | Antonio Thipps | 2017 | Banneker | 47-6.5 | 2 | |
| 8 | Michael Willingham | 2017 | Arabia Mountain HS | 46-11.75 | 1 | |
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Discus
| PLACE | ATHLETE | GRADE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
| 1 | Madias Loper | 2017 | Whitewater High School | 173-2 | 10 | |
| 2 | Michael Willingham | 2017 | Arabia Mountain HS | 167-10 | 8 | |
| 3 | Jeremiah Pierce | 2018 | Carrollton High School | 162-2 | 6 | |
| 4 | Jaylen Powell | 2017 | South Effingham High School | 150-0 | 5 | |
| 5 | Austin Herndon | 2019 | Loganville | 144-4 | 4 | |
| 6 | Kenneth Singleton | 2017 | Loganville | 139-6 | 3 | |
| 7 | Eric Donevant | 2018 | Starrs Mill High School | 138-11 | 2 | |
| 8 | Jayleen Campbell | 2017 | Ola High School | 136-11 | 1 |